Fire-escape



(No Model.)

T. ELLISON.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 431,566. Patented July 8, 1890.

Nirnn TATES THOMAS ELLISON, OF ABINGDON, ILLINOIS.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 431,566, dated July 8, 1890.

Application filed April 2, 1890. Serial No. 346,288. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS ELLISON, a citizen ot the United States, and a resident of Abingdon, in the county of Knox and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of my device in position for use and upon dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the connection of the two sections.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in fire-escapes.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the character named which will afford a convenient and ready means of escape from burning buildings, and which will be simple in its construction, inexpensive, and durable.

lVith these objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction, which will be hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, A represents a ladder consisting of theside pieces a, which may be either of metal or wood, or of wood covered with metal, connected by the rungs b, which are placed nearer together than in ordinary ladders. Toeach side piece is secured a hand rail B, supported by the standards or braces c, the object of such rail being to assist the aged, crippled persons, and children in deseending.

The side pieces a of the ladder A are prevented from spreading by means of the iron rods or bolts 0, which connect them at suitable intervals.

13 represents a head-block, which is pivotally secured to the wall of abuilding by means of a king-bolt D, and may consist of Wood or metal, or it may be a wooden block provided with a metal covering. This head-block is of a width corresponding to the distance between the side pieces of the ladder, the said side pieces being secured to the sides'of the block by means of a rod or bolt E, which loosely passes through the said side pieces and block, thus facilitating the free movement of the lower end of the ladder toward and away from the building, the pivotal movement of the head-block allowing it to be swung from side to side. The head-block is of such a thickness that when the ladder is inclined at a suitable angle for use the upper ends of the side pieces will rest against the wall of the building.

F represents a second section of the ladder, which is connected to the under side of the section A at its lower end by means of loose collars f, this allowing the part F to be extended a greater or less distance, as desired, and held in such adjustment by means of catches f, the object of the extension being to form an adjustable connection between the ladder A and the ground when the-lower end of said ladder A is carried a greater or less distance from the wall of the building. When not in use, this extension may he slid back entirely upon the under side of the ladder and the ladder swung up against the wall of the building and there supported by any suitable means, such as the hooks G. If desired, the extension F may be hinged to the lower end of the ladder and when not in use turned back underneath the ladder and secured thereto by small hooks or chains.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and that for which I desire to secure Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a head-block pivotally secured to the building, of a ladder pivotally connected at its upper end to said head-block and provided at its lower end with an adjustable extension, sub stantially as described.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a head-block pivotally secured to the building, of a ladder pivotally secured to the headblock, the said ladder being provided with a hand-rail, substantially as described.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a head-block pivotally secured to the building, of a ladder provided with a hand-rail pivotally secured to the headblock, the said ladder being provided at its lower end with an In testimony whereof 1 aflix my signature in adjustable extension, substantially as depresence of two Witnesses. scribed. 4. In combination, ladder A, provided with 5 hand-rail B, extension F, collars f, head-block Witnesses:

B, and rod E, arranged substantially as de- WM. 0. HOOKER,

scribed. O. E. CLEVELAND.

THOMAS ELLISON. 

